Alphabet Adds AI to Google Maps to Fend Off Apple, Upstarts

Alphabet Inc.’s Google announced new features for its two mapping apps, part of the search giant’s ongoing effort to revamp products with its Gemini artificial intelligence models.

Users of Google Maps will be able to ask natural-language questions about places on the map and see AI-generated summaries of human-written reviews, the company said in an announcement Thursday. Waze users will be able to verbally report traffic issues on the go, without having to type or use specific commands.

Google also said it would allow developers building products with AI models to verify responses using the company’s vast database of places. ...